THE HEALTH and Safety Executive has launched an investigation into alleged understaffing problems at Macclesfield Hospital following a complaint from a member of staff.

Workers have criticised the hospital for frequently leaving just one person to operate the main switchboard during the eight hour nightshift and say they cannot even vacate their desks to go to the toilet.

A source, who did not wish to be named, told the Macclesfield Express: "On the nightshift there is rarely more than one person on the switchboard. You can’t leave your station in case there is an emergency call, which means that all through the night workers can’t take any breaks.

"There was one lady who had only just finished her training and had to do her first night on the job on her own. There were several emergencies that night and she was worried to death.

"It’s not fair to leave people on their own, especially when they are new to the job. I think they are putting lives at risk, they are taking stupid chances.

"Everyone is too frightened to say anything. We have now been told not to talk to the press."

The HSE, which ensures health and safety at work is properly controlled, is currently looking into the matter.

Spokeswoman Christina Goddard said: "We have received a complaint and we are dealing with it under the usual protocol. Once someone has logged a complaint, if it meets certain criteria then we decide whether to take it any further."

The complainant added: "They have apparently had meetings about it and we have been told that we will get more staff in, but my concern is that it could take months to sort something out.

"At the minute it’s really hard, night-time switchboard staff don’t get breaks for food. You are supposed to have a break if you work for more than six hours straight and you can’t even nip to the loo in case you miss a call.

"For £6.03 per hour, these people are being browbeaten."

The hospital accepted there was a problem.

A spokeswoman said: "East Cheshire NHS Trust works in partnership with ISS Mediclean, the company who provide the hospital switchboard staff. As an organisation, the trust will always take staff concerns and working conditions seriously and, in relation to the switchboard, it is working with ISS Mediclean to resolve any staffing issues."